Technique for aggregating minimization of drive test, MDT, measurements in a component of an operating and maintenance, OAM, system

ABSTRACT

A technique for aggregating Minimization of Drive Test, MDT, measurements is disclosed. In a first method aspect, the method is performed by a component of an Operation And Maintenance, OAM, system and comprises the steps of receiving an activation request configuring MDT measurements for a plurality of User Equipments, UEs, and requesting a Performance Measurement, PM, activating the MDT measurements for the UEs, receiving the MDT measurements from the UEs, and aggregating the MDT measurements to obtain the requested PM measurement. In a second method aspect, the method is performed in another component of the OAM system and comprises the steps of generating the activation request configuring MDT measurements for the plurality of UEs, and requesting the PM, and transmitting the activation request towards the component of the OAM system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to aggregating Minimization ofDrive Test (MDT) measurements in a component of an Operating AndMaintenance (OAM) system.

BACKGROUND

There are standardized solution for MDT data collection as specified,for instance, in 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project TechnicalSpecification (3GPP TS) 32.422 and related specifications in a cellularsystem, which has a management architecture as described in FIG. 1(which is an excerpt from 3GPP TS 32.101). MDT is also specified forUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Long TermEvolution (LTE) systems in 3GPP.

FIG. 1 shows an example management architecture for MDT data collection.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the architecture comprises a network100, which in turn comprises organizations A and B, of which onlyorganization A is exemplified. Boxes denote functional entities (such as“Enterprise Systems”), and numerals 1 to 6 on the connections drawnbetween the boxes denote interfaces between the functional entities.

Data collection for MDT function is, for instance, ordered via the Itf-N(interface numeral 2 in FIG. 1) from a Network Manager (NM) 1002 to aDomain Manager 1001 a /Element Manager 1001 b (DM/EM), which in turnorders a Network Element (NE) 1001 to perform the MDT data collectionaccording to the request originating from the NM 1002. The MDT datacollection can be ordered from the NM 1002 using the trace functionalityas specified, for instance, in TS 32.422. The MDT data collection can beordered for a specific subscriber or terminal, identified by theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity/International Mobile EquipmentIdentity (IMSI/IMEI) (also called signaling based MDT trace) or for aspecific area, i.e., set of cells (also called area based MDT ormanagement based trace).

As some pieces of the data collected during an MDT session may besensitive from a privacy point of view, a user consent indicator isconfigured per subscriber in the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) or HomeLocation Register (HLR). The user consent indicator is propagated in thesignaling control chain (interface 6 in FIG. 1) to the NE 1001 (in caseof signaling-based MDT trace) or via the management interface from DM1001 a to the NE (interface 1 in FIG. 1) (in case of management-basedMDT). The NE 1001 carries out the selection of UEs (not shown) thatshould participate in the MDT data collection.

When a MDT data collection order (trace order configuration) is receivedin the NE 1001, NE 1001 checks for sessions that fulfill the criteriafrom the MDT order. When such a session is found, the NE 1001 checks theuser consent indicator for that session. Only if the user consent is setto that MDT collection being allowed, the NE 1001 starts the MDT datacollection for that session.

There are different types of MDT:

-   1. Area-based MDT: The MDT order is for a specified area typically    for a cell or list of cells.-   2. Signaling-based MDT: The MDT order is for a specified user (IMSI)    or User Equipment (UE identified by IMEI).-   3. Logged MDT: The MDT data collection is performed for UEs that are    in idle mode.-   4. Immediate MDT: The MDT data collection is performed for UEs that    are in active mode.

The types 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4 are mutually exclusive, while types1 and 2 are combinable with 3 or 4.

Accordingly, the standard depicted above defines different trace jobtypes depending on whether immediate or logged MDT measurements arerequested, with combination of regular trace, etc. The current values ofthe traceJob type as follows (see TS 32.422 for the jobType parameter).

The jobType is a conditional mandatory parameter. The condition iseither MDT or Radio Link Failure (RLF) data collection functionalitybeing supported. It defines whether a single trace job, a combined MDTand trace job or RLF report collection job is activated. This parameteralso defines the MDT mode. The jobType parameter is an Enumerated typewith the following values:

-   -   Immediate MDT only (0);    -   Logged MDT only (1);    -   Trace only (2);    -   Immediate MDT and Trace (3);    -   RLF reports only (4).        NOTE: The jobType “RLF reports only” is applicable only in        management-based trace activation in Evolved UMTS Terrestrial        Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).

The standard also defines PM measurements, which are measurementsaggregated to cell level and thereby used to denote the overall celllevel performance, instead of the individual UE level performance as inthe case of MDT data, see for instance TS 32.425 for E-UTRAN PMmeasurements and 32.405 for UTRAN measurements and TS 32.401 for theoverall concept and requirements for PM measurements.

The PM measurements are produced by the Network Elements (NE) 1001 andare collected by the Element Manager (EM) and finally transferred viathe standardized Itf-N interface (see FIG. 1). The standard defines avariety of PM measurements, including such as success rate of connectionsetups, radio bearer setups or average cell throughput, utilization,etc.

In all cases, the PM measurements are produced by aggregation ofindividual measurement samples, where there is a given set ofaggregation “functions” defined in the standard (e.g., cumulative,gauge, etc.).

Existing Problems Not Realized by the Prior Art

In current 3GPP networks (such as UMTS or LTE), there is possibility foran Operation and Maintenance (OAM) system to collect MDT measurementsfrom UEs and from the network for network observation and optimizationpurposes. The MDT measurements are collected via the trace mechanism andare stored in the trace files, which are transferred from the network toa Trace Collection Entity (TCE). The amount of MDT data in the tracefiles can be significant, requiring large storage and processingresources. Moreover, for some use cases, the MDT data might beunnecessarily detailed. Therefore, there is a need to support theaggregated reporting of MDT data in terms of PM measurements (e.g., PMcounters).

The current MDT trace mechanism supports the collection of MDTmeasurements in trace format only, i.e., where all individual samplesare collected. For some use cases, this may represent an overwhelmingamount of data, which may anyway be aggregated in the OAM system for theparticular use case. That is, transferring all the detailed MDT datafrom the NE 1001 to OAM system may be unnecessary in those cases. On theother hand, there exist PM measurements (counters), which collectmeasurements in an aggregated way and MDT measurement samples would be auseful input for a number of new PM measurements. However, defining onlynew PM measurements would not be sufficient alone, as no mechanismsexist that would configure and trigger the required measurements at UEs(e.g., MDT measurements) and thereby no measurement samples would beproduced for the PM counters.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for an implementation of a scheme thatavoids one or more of the problems discussed above, or other relatedproblems.

In a first aspect, there is provided a method of operating a componentof an Operation And Maintenance, OAM, system, the method comprisingreceiving an activation request configuring Minimization of Drive Test,MDT, measurements for a plurality of User Equipments, UEs, andrequesting a Performance Measurement, PM, activating the MDTmeasurements for the UEs, receiving the MDT measurements from the UEs,and aggregating the MDT measurements to obtain the requested PMmeasurement. In this way, the features of MDT and PM are combined in asynergistic manner to use an MDT activation request as a means totransport PM measurements.

In a first refinement of the first aspect, the activation request maycomprise a job type parameter signalling the PM measurement request. Ifso, the activation request may further comprise the request to reportthe MDT measurements on a non-aggregated per-UE basis. In both cases,the activating may further comprise activating the MDT measurements forspecific UEs according to the measurement configuration indicated in anMDT trace job. The received MDT measurement samples may be aggregatedinto PM measurements and reported as PM measurements to the OAM system.As an alternative, the received MDT measurements may be reported on anon-aggregated per-UE basis as an MDT trace file to the OAM system, inaddition to being reported as PM measurements. In this way, it is alwaysascertained that the best-fitting container is used as the means fortransporting.

In a second refinement of the first aspect, there may be only one MDTtrace job with the job type parameter “PM measurement request” or “PMmeasurement and MDT measurement” requested to be active at the same timein the same cell. If so, measurement samples from different MDT tracejobs are prevented to be mixed up.

In a third refinement of the first aspect, multiple MDT trace jobs forPM measurements may be allowed to be activated in parallel. If so, theMDT trace job activation request for PM measurements may include anidentity to uniquely identify the MDT trace job measurementconfiguration for PM measurements. In the latter case, separate PMmeasurements may be defined for each possible MDT trace job measurementconfiguration identity. Additionally or alternatively, the MDTmeasurements samples corresponding to the MDT trace job configurationwith the particular identity may be received and aggregated into the PMmeasurements of the same identity. In this way, versatility of the firstaspect can be enhanced.

In a fourth refinement of the first aspect, the MDT measurements may beactivated for UEs in a specified area. If so, the MDT measurements maybe activated for all UEs in the specified area irrespective of theiruser consent status. Additionally or alternatively, the specified areamay comprise one or more cells of a cellular communication network. Inthis way, aggregating the MDT measurements may be accelerated, providedthat user privacy remains unharmed.

In a fifth refinement of the first aspect, the activation request maycomply with 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project TechnicalSpecification, 3GPP TS, 32.422. In a sixth refinement, the method mayfurther comprise reporting the PM measurement. In the latter case, thePM measurement and the PM measurement report may comply with at leastone of 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project Technical Specification,3GPP TS, 32.425, 32.405 and 32.401. In this way, mutual technologicalacceptance is assured.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method of operating a componentof an Operation And Maintenance, OAM, system, the method comprisinggenerating an activation request configuring Minimization of Drive Test,MDT, measurements for a plurality of User Equipments, UEs, andrequesting a Performance Measurement, PM, and transmitting theactivation request towards another component of the OAM system. In thisway, the method of the first aspect is augmented with the source of theMDT activation request.

In a first refinement of the second aspect, the method may furthercomprise receiving the requested PM measurement.

In a third aspect, there is provided a computer program productcomprising program code portions for performing the steps of any of thefirst and second aspects when the computer program product is executedby a computing device. The computer program product may be stored on acomputer-readable recording medium.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a component of an Operation AndMaintenance, OAM, system, the component comprising a first interfaceadapted to receive an activation request configuring Minimization ofDrive Test, MDT, measurements for a plurality of User Equipments, UEs,and requesting a Performance Measurement, PM, a second interface adaptedto activate the MDT measurements for the UEs, a third interface adaptedto receive the MDT measurements from the UEs, and a processor adapted toaggregate the MDT measurements to obtain the requested PM measurement.

In a first refinement of the fourth aspect, the component may beconfigured as an OAM Network Element or a Network Element. Additionallyor alternatively, the component may be configured as one of an eNodeB, aRadio Network Controller, RNC, a Domain Manager, DM, and an ElementManager, EM.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a component of an Operation AndMaintenance, OAM, system, the component comprising a processor adaptedto generate an activation request configuring Minimization of DriveTest, MDT, measurements for a plurality of User Equipments, UEs, andrequesting a Performance Measurement, PM, and an interface adapted totransmit the activation request towards another component of the OAMsystem.

In a first refinement of the fifth aspect, the component may beconfigured as an OAM Network Manager or a Network Manager.

Still further, it is to be noted that the method aspects may also beembodied on the apparatus of the fourth and fifth aspects comprising atleast one processor and/or appropriate means for carrying out any one ofthe method steps.

Finally, in a sixth aspect, there is provided an Operating AndMaintenance, OAM, system comprising the component of the fourth aspectand the component of the fifth aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the technique presented herein are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example management architecture for MDT data collection;

FIG. 2 shows components comprised in an exemplary device embodimentrealized in the form of an (OAM) Network element or an (OAM) NetworkManager; and

FIG. 3 shows a method embodiment which also reflects the interactionbetween the components of the device embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific details are set forth (such as particular signalingsteps) in order to provide a thorough understanding of the techniquepresented herein. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that thepresent technique may be practiced in other embodiments that depart fromthese specific details. For example, the embodiments will primarily bedescribed in the context of the OAM architecture; however, this does notrule out the use of the present technique in connection with (future)technologies consistent with the OAM architecture e.g. in UMTS, LTE orLTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the services,functions and steps explained herein may be implemented using softwarefunctioning in conjunction with a programmed microprocessor, or using anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP) or general purpose computer. It will also be appreciatedthat while the following embodiments are described in the context ofmethods and devices, the technique presented herein may also be embodiedin a computer program product as well as in a system comprising acomputer processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein thememory is encoded with one or more programs that execute the services,functions and steps disclosed herein.

Without loss of generality, the present disclosure may be summarized asbeing based on an extension of the management based MDT tracefunctionality such that an MDT trace job would be possible to initiatewithout trace file reporting, in which case the collected MDTmeasurement samples would be used to produce PM measurements in the NE,i.e., the NE would report only the PM measurements. This would requireintroducing new MDT trace job type(s) on Itf-N to indicate when MDTmeasurements shall be collected for PM purposes only without trace filereporting. Correspondingly, there is a need to define the associated NEbehaviors in case of the new job type(s).

FIG. 2 shows components comprised in an exemplary device embodimentrealized in the form of an (OAM) Network Element (NE) 2001 (as anexample of the first component) and/or an (OAM) Network Manager (NM)2002 (as an example of the second component). It is noted that the termsOAM NE/NM and NE/NM are equivalent and are used interchangeablythroughout the description. As non-limiting examples, the OAM NE 2001may be embodied on an evolved nodeB (eNB) 2011 a, a Radio NetworkController (RNC) 2001 b, a Domain Manager, (DM) 2001 c, or an ElementManager (EM) 2001 d.

As shown in FIG. 3, the OAM NE 2001 comprises a core functionality(e.g., one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), dedicatedcircuitry and/or a software module) 20011, an optional memory (and/ordatabase) 20012, an optional transmitter 20013 and an optional receiver20014. Moreover, the OAM NE 2001 comprises a first interface 20015, asecond interface 20016, a third interface 20017 and an optional reporter20018.

In turn, the OAM NM 2002 comprises a core functionality (e.g., one ormore of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), dedicated circuitry and/or asoftware module) 20021, an optional memory (and/or database) 20022, anoptional transmitter 20023 and an optional receiver 20024. Moreover, theOAM MN 2002 comprises a first interface 20025.

In the following paragraphs, assume that x=1 or 2. As partly indicatedby the dashed extensions of the functional block of the CPUs 200x1, thefirst interface 20015, the second interface 20016, the third interface20017 and the reporter 20018 (of the OAM NE 2001) as well as the firstinterface 20025 (of the OAM NM 2002) as well as the memory 200x2, thetransmitter 200x3 and the receiver 200x4 may at least partially befunctionalities running on the CPUs 200x1, or may alternatively beseparate functional entities or means controlled by the CPUs 200x1 andsupplying the same with information. The transmitter and receivercomponents 200x3, 200x4 may be realized to comprise suitable interfacesand/or suitable signal generation and evaluation functions.

The CPUs 200x1 may be configured, for example, using software residingin the memories 200x2, to process various data inputs and to control thefunctions of the memories 200x2, the transmitter 200x3 and the receiver200x3 (as well as the first interface 20015, the second interface 20016,the third interface 20017 and the reporter 20018 (of the OAM NE 2001) aswell as the first interface 20025 (of the OAM NM 2002)). The memory200x2 may serve for storing program code for carrying out the methodsaccording to the aspects disclosed herein, when executed by the CPUs200x1.

It is to be noted that the transmitter 200x3 and the receiver 200x4 maybe provided as an integral transceiver, as is indicated in FIG. 2. It isfurther to be noted that the transmitters/receivers 200x3, 200x4 may beimplemented as physical transmitters/receivers for transceiving via anair interface or a wired connection, as routing/forwardingentities/interfaces between network elements, as functionalities forwriting/reading information into/from a given memory area or as anysuitable combination of the above. At least one of the above-describedfirst interface 20015, second interface 20016, third interface 20017 andreporter 20018 (of the OAM NE 2001) as well as first interface 20025 (ofthe OAM NM 2002), or the respective functionalities, may also beimplemented as a chipset, module or subassembly.

FIG. 3 shows a method embodiment which also reflects the interactionbetween the components of the device embodiment. In the signalingdiagram of FIG. 3, time aspects between signaling are reflected in thevertical arrangement of the signaling sequence as well as in thesequence numbers. It is to be noted that the time aspects indicated inFIG. 3 do not necessarily restrict any one of the method steps shown tothe step sequence outlined in FIG. 3. This applies in particular tomethod steps that are functionally disjunctive with each other.

Now turning to the second component (e.g. OAM NM 2002) of the OperationAnd Maintenance (OAM) system 200, in a step S2-1, the processor 20021 ofthe OAM NM 2002 performs generating an activation request configuringMDT measurements for a plurality of UEs 2003, and requesting a PM. Theactivation request may comply with 3GPP TS 32.422.

In step S2-2, the first interface 20025 (e.g. in cooperation with thetransmitter 20023) performs transmitting the activation request towardsthe first component 2001, 2001 a, 2001 b of the OAM system.

Then, in step S1-1, the first interface 20015 of the first component(e.g. OAM NE 2001, augmented by the receiver 20014) performs receivingthe activation request configuring the MDT measurements for theplurality of UEs 2003, and requesting the PM.

Optionally, the activation request may comprise a job type parametersignalling the PM measurement request. In addition, the activationrequest may further comprise the request to report the MDT measurementson a non-aggregated per-UE basis. As first alternative, the method mayfurther comprise activating the MDT measurements for specific UEsaccording to the measurement configuration indicated in an MDT tracejob. As a second alternative, the received MDT measurement samples maybe aggregated into PM measurements and reported as PM measurements tothe OAM system. As a third alternative, the received MDT measurementsmay be reported on a non-aggregated per-UE basis as an MDT trace file tothe OAM system.

In other words, the present disclosure may be based on extending thecurrent MDT trace jobType parameter with new values corresponding to thePM originated MDT measurement collection. The new values to be added maybe:

-   -   PM only (5);    -   PM and immediate MDT (6).        The “PM only” and the “PM and immediate MDT” job types may be        applicable only in case of management based MDT activation both        for UTRAN and E-UTRAN.

Optionally, there may be only one MDT trace job with the job typeparameter “PM measurement request” (PM only) or “PM measurement and MDTmeasurement” (PM and immediate MDT) requested to be active at the sametime in the same cell.

The “PM only” parameter may mean that the Radio Access Network (RAN)executes the requested measurements in the designated cells, includingalso the configuration of measurements at UEs 2003 when needed, but themeasurements results are not stored in trace records and trace files.The measurement results are used only as input for corresponding PMmeasurements. A further difference is that the MDT measurements can betriggered for all UEs in the cell, irrespective of their user consentstatus. When the measurements are initiated for “PM only”, the RAN mayomit to request the UE to provide location information in themeasurements.

Conversely, the “PM and immediate MDT” parameter may mean that the RANexecutes the requested measurements for all UEs in the cell, similarlyas in the “PM only” case and uses all measurement results as input forthe corresponding PM measurements, but it also puts the results intotrace records and into a trace file from all UEs from which user consentis available. For UEs that have not provided user consent, i.e., theirmeasurements can be used only for PM purposes, the RAN may omit torequest these UEs to provide location information in the measurements.

In a step S1-2, the second interface 20016 of the OAM NE 2001 performsactivating the MDT measurements for the UEs.

The difference in the activation step may be when the OAM NE 2001 (e.g.,RAN/RNC 2001 b in case of UTRAN and eNodeB 2001 a in case of E-UTRAN)initiates the measurements and records the collected measurements.

In case the jobType parameter indicates “PM-only” or “PM and immediateMDT” trace, the eNodeB 2001 a or RNC 2001 b may activate the requestedMDT measurements for all UEs in the selected cells, as indicated in theareaScope parameter, irrespective of their user consent status.

In one example, there may be only one MDT trace job with type of“PM-only” or “PM and immediate MDT” allowed to be activated at the sametime in a given cell. Otherwise, measurement samples from multiple MDTtrace jobs with different measurement configurations would be mixed inthe same PM counter.

In another example, multiple MDT trace jobs for PM measurements may beallowed to be activated in parallel.

In other words, activating multiple MDT trace jobs with type of“PM-only” or “PM and immediate MDT” may be allowed, in which case afurther configuration attribute may be required in the MDT trace jobconfiguration to indicate to which PM counter the measurement samplesfrom the particular MDT trace job should be collected. For this reason,also multiple PM counters may be defined, one per supported parallel MDTtrace job.

For example, when two MDT trace jobs with PM purposes are allowed inparallel, then there should be two PM counters defined, where“PM_counter1” collects and aggregates measurement samples from the firstMDT PM trace job, while “PM_counter2” collects samples corresponding tothe second MDT trace job.

In this case, the MDT trace job activation request for PM measurementsmay include an identity to uniquely identify the MDT trace jobmeasurement configuration for PM measurements. In this case, separate PMmeasurements may be defined for each possible MDT trace job measurementconfiguration identity. In addition or alternatively, the MDTmeasurements samples corresponding to the MDT trace job configurationwith the particular identity may be received and aggregated into the PMmeasurements of the same identity.

In an implementation example, in the MDT trace job, a configurationparameter, called for example

-   -   PM configuration ID={1,2},        may be added to signal whether the measurement samples of the        given MDT trace job should be collected into “PM_counter1” or        “PM_counter2”. The “PM configuration ID” parameter may be        applicable only in case of trace jobs of type either “PM only”        or “PM and immediate MDT”.

In a step S1-3, the third interface 20017 of the OAM NE 2001 (e.g. incooperation with the receiver 20014) performs receiving the MDTmeasurements from the UEs 2003. Finally, in a step S1-4, the processor20011 of the OAM NE 2001 performs aggregating the MDT measurements toobtain the requested PM measurement.

In this case, when the eNodeB 2001 a or RNC 2001 b receives the MDTmeasurement report from the UE and the jobType indicates “PM only”collection, the eNodeB 2001 a or RNC 2001 b may use the receivedmeasurement report to update any relevant PM measurements (e.g. PMcounters) that rely on the given MDT measurement as input data. TheeNodeB 2001 a or RNC 2001 b might not store the received MDT measurementin trace records and should not produce a trace file.

In case the jobType indicates “PM and immediate MDT”, the eNodeB 2001 aor RNC 2001 b may use the received measurement report to update anyrelevant PM measurements (e.g. PM counters), similarly as in theprevious case. In addition, the eNodeB 2001 a or RNC 2001 b may checkthe user consent status of the UE generating the report and may storethe received MDT measurement report in a trace record and put the reportin a trace file in case the user consent is set (e.g., positive userconsent).

In an optional step S1-5, the reporter 20018 of the OAM NE 2001 performsreporting the PM measurement. Accordingly, in an optional step S2-3,e.g. the receiver 20024 of the OAM NM 2002 performs receiving therequested PM measurement. The PM measurement and the PM measurementreport may comply with 3GPP TS 32.425, 32.405 and/or 32.401.

Below, non-limiting examples are given for PM measurements for which MDTmeasurement samples may be used as input data (examples for E-UTRAN):

-   -   Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) distribution        measurements: The distribution of the RSRP values of MDT        configured M1 measurements is meant. When the eNodeB 2001 a        receives a MeasurementReport message with MeasId IE        corresponding to the MDT configured M1 measurement with        rsrpResult IE included, eNB 2001 a may increase the appropriate        element of the RSRP distribution measurement corresponding to        the value of the received rsrpResult IE.    -   It may be important that only measurement results corresponding        to one specific measurement configuration, i.e., the one given        in the MDT M1 configuration are included in the PM measurement,        otherwise the collected samples may become biased and the        distribution statistic will be useless.    -   Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) distribution        measurements: The distribution of the RSRQ values of MDT        configured M1 measurements is meant. When the eNodeB 2001 a        receives a MeasurementReport message with MeasId IE        corresponding to the MDT configured M1 measurement with        rsrqResult IE included, eNB 2001 a may increase the appropriate        element of the RSRQ distribution measurement corresponding to        the value of the received rsrqResult IE.

It would be possible to define other PM measurements based on othertypes of MDT data in a similar way. This disclosure can be applied forany PM measurements that use MDT measurement samples as input dataaccording to the PM measurement definition.

Therefore, it could be applied for M1/M2 measurements, such as ReceivedSignal Code Power (RSCP), Ec/N0, M3 measurements, such asSignal-Interference-Ratio, SIR, M4 measurements, such as UE powerheadroom, M5 measurements, such as received wideband power, M6measurements, such as data volume, and M7 measurements, such asscheduled Internet Protocol (IP) throughput in case of UTRAN and for anynew future MDT measurements. Similarly, it can be applied for otherE-UTRAN MDT measurements as well, including M2 measurements, such asPower headroom, M3 measurements, such as Received Interference Power, M4measurements, such as data volume, and M5 measurements, such asscheduled IP throughput and for any new future MDT measurements.

In case of measurements that do not require configuration and/or aremeasured in the network (i.e., not in the UE), the corresponding MDTmeasurements for PM counters may be collected by default, i.e., withoutrequesting it in a trace job of type “PM only” or “PM and ImmediateMDT”.

In case no MDT measurement job with jobType “PM-only” or “PM andImmediate MDT” has been activated, then no measurement samples may beavailable for the corresponding PM counters, in which case the “suspect”flag may be set for the respective PM counters. The same behaviour mayapply in cases when an MDT job with jobType either “PM-only” or “PM andImmediate MDT” has been initiated, but measurements required forspecific PM counters has not been requested. In these cases, the“suspect” flag may be set only for those PM counters that lack therespective measurement configuration in the MDT job.

The present disclosure provides one or more of the following advantages:

-   -   Enabling configuring and initiating MDT measurements for PM        purposes from the NM layer via Itf-N and thereby ensuring that        the corresponding PM counters continuously receive measurement        samples as input according to the desired measurement        configuration.    -   Allowing the reduction of the amount of reported MDT data by        reporting in PM format and by aggregating the data already in        the NE, i.e., when detailed UE level information is not required        by the use case.    -   Moreover, when the MDT measurements are ordered for PM        aggregation purposes there is no privacy concern as data is not        stored on per-UE level, only aggregated in PM counters. That is,        MDT measurements could be initiated and collected for all UEs in        a cell, independent of user consent status, thereby increasing        the statistical relevance of collected data.    -   The proposed changes would impact the standard “UTRAN activation        mechanism for area based MDT data collection without        IMSI/IMEI(SV) selection”, as well as, the “E-UTRAN activation        mechanism for area based MDT data collections without        IMSI/IMEI(SV) selection”. The proposed additional actions would        need to be added to the UE selection, as well as, to the        measurement collection steps of the corresponding procedures.

It is believed that the advantages of the technique presented hereinwill be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructions andarrangement of the exemplary aspects thereof without departing from thescope of the invention or without sacrificing all of its advantageouseffects. Because the technique presented herein can be varied in manyways, it will be recognized that the invention should be limited only bythe scope of the claims that follow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a component of anOperation And Maintenance (OAM) system, the method comprising: receivingan activation request configuring Minimization of Drive Test (MDT)measurements for a plurality of User Equipments (UEs), the activationrequest comprising a job type parameter signaling a PerformanceMeasurement (PM) request, and requesting a PM measurement report;activating the MDT measurements for the UEs; receiving the MDTmeasurements from the UEs; aggregating the received MDT measurementsinto PM measurements to obtain the requested PM measurement report to bereported to an OAM Network Manager (NM); and reporting the PMmeasurement report, wherein the PM measurement and the PM measurementreport comply with at least one of 3rd Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 32.425 for E-UTRAN PM measurements,3GPP TS 32.405 for UTRAN measurements and 3GPP TS 32.401 forrequirements for PM measurements.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theactivation request further comprises the request to report the MDTmeasurements on a non-aggregated per-UE basis.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising activating the MDT measurements for specific UEsaccording to the measurement configuration indicated in an MDT tracejob.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein there must be only one MDT tracejob with the job type parameter “PM measurement request” or “PMmeasurement and MDT measurement requested” requested to be active at thesame time in the same cell.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein multipleMDT trace jobs for PM measurements are allowed to be activated inparallel.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the MDT trace job activationrequest for PM measurements includes an identity to uniquely identifythe MDT trace job measurement configuration for PM measurements.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein separate PM measurements are defined for eachpossible MDT trace job measurement configuration identity.
 8. The methodof claim 5, wherein the MDT measurements samples corresponding to theMDT trace job configuration with the particular identity is received andaggregated into the PM measurements of the same identity.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the MDT measurements are activated for UEs in aspecified area.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the MDT measurementsare activated for all UEs in the specified area irrespective of theiruser consent status.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the specifiedarea comprises one or more cells of a cellular communication network.12. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation request complies with3GPP TS 32.422.
 13. A method of operating a component of an OperationAnd Maintenance (OAM) system, the method comprising: generating anactivation request configuring Minimization of Drive Test (MDT)measurements for a plurality of User Equipments (UEs), the activationrequest comprising a job type parameter signaling a PerformanceMeasurement (PM), and requesting a PM measurement report; transmittingthe activation request towards another component of the OAM system; andreceiving the requested PM measurement report, in which the MDTmeasurements had been aggregated into PM measurements, wherein the PMmeasurement and the PM measurement report comply with at least one of3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS)32.425 for E-UTRAN PM measurements, 3GPP TS 32.405 for UTRANmeasurements and 3GPP TS 32.401 for requirements for PM measurements.14. A component of an Operation And Maintenance (OAM) system, thecomponent comprising: a first interface configured to receive anactivation request configuring Minimization of Drive Test (MDT)measurements for a plurality of User Equipments (UEs), the activationrequest comprising a job type parameter signaling a PerformanceMeasurement request, and requesting a PM measurement report; a secondinterface configured to activate the MDT measurements for the UEs; athird interface configured to receive the MDT measurements from the UEs;a processor configured to aggregate the received MDT measurements intoPM measurements to obtain the requested PM measurement report to bereported to an OAM Network Manager (NM); and a reporter configured toreport the PM measurement report, wherein the PM measurement and the PMmeasurement report comply with at least one of 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 32.425 forE-UTRAN PM measurements, 3GPP TS 32.405 for UTRAN measurements and 3GPPTS 32.401 for requirements for PM measurements.
 15. The component ofclaim 14, configured as one of an OAM Network Element and a NetworkElement.
 16. The component of claim 14, configured as one of an eNodeB,a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a Domain Manager (DM), and an ElementManager (EM).
 17. An Operation And Maintenance (OAM) Network Managercomponent of an OAM system, the OAM Network Manager componentcomprising: a processor configured to generate an activation requestconfiguring Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) measurements for aplurality of User Equipments (UEs), the activation request comprising ajob type parameter signaling a Performance Measurement (PM) request, andrequesting a PM measurement report; an interface configured to transmitthe activation request towards another component of the OAM system; anda receiver configured to receive the requested PM measurement report, inwhich the MDT measurements had been aggregated into PM measurements,wherein the PM measurement and the PM measurement report comply with atleast one of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) TechnicalSpecification (TS) 32.425 for E-UTRAN PM measurements, 3GPP TS 32.405for UTRAN measurements and 3GPP TS 32.401 for requirements for PMmeasurements.